News

StreetSmart Swellendam raises R40 000 for study bursaries

StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives through donations from restaurants in the Western Cape and Gauteng, has handed R40 000 to the Swellendam Bursary Fund, their Swellendam beneficiary for 2016.

The Swellendam Bursary Fund provides bursaries to promising local young people wishing to study at university or college, but who do not have the means to pay for their studies.

Having raised R6,965 in aid of StreetSmart, La Sosta restaurant was the leading contributing restaurant in Swellendam over the past year.

"I am honoured to co-ordinate the Swellendam area for StreetSmart. I see great potential and look forward to making a difference with all the restaurateurs in Swellendam and surrounding areas. I am particularly touched by the dreams that have already been realised with StreetSmart funding and am convinced that with the support of those who can, we are able to at least triple that amount in the year ahead," said Sem Kallen, the newly elected co-ordinator of StreetSmart Swellendam.

Nationally, StreetSmart South Africa has donated the grand sum of R1,05 million for 2016 to various charities working towards the upliftment of street children. In addition to the Swellendam Bursary Fund, the other beneficiaries are: Cape Town Multi Service Centre, Home from Home, Learn to Live, Ons Plek, T.L.C. Outreach Projects, Zip Zap Circus in Cape Town; Kusasa in Franschhoek, Home from Home in Stellenbosch, Grabouw ECD Centre in Helderberg, Kids Haven in Johannesburg, Masizame in Plettenberg Bay; and PEN in Pretoria.

“2015 has been another exceptional year for StreetSmart SA! We celebrated 10 years, expanded our support to 23 programmes, and for the second time, StreetSmart has disbursed over R1 million to beneficiaries nationally. We are thrilled to continue our support of the selected StreetSmart Swellendam beneficiary for 2016. We also extend a hearty welcome to Sem Kallen, who will be taking over the local co-ordinator role from Henk Klijn, who initiated StreetSmart Swellendam in 2013. The local committee of four members is the driving force behind the success and expansion of StreetSmart Swellendam,” says Melanie Burke, Chairman of StreetSmart SA.

Congratulations to the Top 5 contributing StreetSmart Restaurants for 2015

1. La Mouette (Cape Town), raised R73 095.00

2. The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa (Johannesburg), raised R52 385.53

3. Taj Cape Town, raised R48 962.88

4. Savoy Cabbage (Cape Town), raised R44 142.40

5. Licorish Bistro (Johannesburg), raised R35 960

We are very grateful for the partnership and support of StreetSmart Restaurants.

May we together continue to assist street children and children at risk to better their lives, for many years to come!

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StreetSmart restaurants raise R180 000 in Gauteng

StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives through donations from restaurants in the Western Cape and Gauteng, has handed over R180 000 to their Gauteng beneficiaries for 2016, at their respective handover events in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The Pretoria beneficiary is PEN and the raised funds will be used towards a social worker salary.

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StreetSmart restaurants raise R520 000 in Cape Town

StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives through donations from restaurants in the Western Cape and Gauteng, has handed over R520 000 to their Cape Town beneficiaries for 2016, at their handover celebration at Salesian Institute, Green Point. The beneficiaries are Cape Town Multi Service Centre, Home from Home, Learn to Live, Ons Plek and TLC Outreach Projects. 2016 sees the addition of a new beneficiary: Zip Zap Circus’ 2^nd Chance programme.


Elkana Steelband welcomed guests	Chairman Melanie Burke

Sponsor Urbantonic	Sponsor Out of this Planet Catering

StreetSmart Restaurateurs and their diners make a difference in the lives of street children and children at risk – simply by where they choose to dine. Nationally this partnership has raised more than R1 050 000 during 2015, for organisations that are actively involved with social development of vulnerable children and rehabilitation of street children with the ultimate goal of family re-unification.

Beneficiary: Learn to Live
Panel Beating Workshop

Beneficiary:
Zip Zap Circus – 2^nd Chance

Beneficiary:

TLC Outreach Projects

“Our partnership with StreetSmart has allowed us to ensure that we strive to be the best in the industry and we endeavour to do so in the future. It is remarkable how StreetSmart’s funding has enabled so many children and youth over the years to gain access to education, skills training and job placements.” said Nelly Burrows, Director of Operations and Development at Salesian Institute.

StreetSmart South Africa has also given substantial financial support for 2016 to beneficiary organisations in other areas, namely The Kusasa Project in Franschhoek; Home from Home in Stellenbosch; Kids Haven in Johannesburg; PEN in Pretoria; The Bursary Fund in Swellendam and Masizame in Plettenberg Bay. Another new beneficiary, the Thembalitsha Early Childhood Development programme in Grabouw is funded from money raised in the Helderberg area. All these charities are actively involved with the social development of vulnerable children and rehabilitation of street children.

Table Card

Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to each table's bill at the participating restaurants. This donation is voluntary and diners are able to contribute more if they wish to. Partnering with restaurants is the bedrock of the StreetSmart fundraising and restaurants are urged to sign up, to make a long-term difference in their communities and in the life of a child.

StreetSmart Restaurants since 2005

Harveys at Winchester Mansions Hotel	Camissa at The Table Bay Hotel

Cargills Restaurant	Sunset at The Peninsula All-suite Hotel

“2015 has been another exceptional year for StreetSmart SA! We celebrated 10 years this year, expanded our support to 23 programmes, and for the second time, StreetSmart will be disbursing over 1 million rand to beneficiaries nationally. This is only possible through successful partnerships and promoting responsible giving via StreetSmart restaurants.” says Melanie Burke, Chairman of StreetSmart SA.

Every cent raised in StreetSmart restaurants goes to our selected beneficiary programmes. To cover operational and expansion costs, StreetSmart relies on partnerships with business, fundraising initiatives and private donations.

Dalin Oliver entertaining guests

StreetSmart SA was set up in 2005 by a group of concerned Capetonians under the patronage of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and comprises resourceful board members representing business and the hospitality and tourism industries. Similar StreetSmart organisations also run independently in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, USA – San Francisco and The Netherlands.

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